Vicario: ‘Tottenham followed Frank’s ideas to the letter’ in defeat to PSG | OneFootball

Guglielmo Vicario maintains Tottenham ‘followed to the letter’ what Thomas Frank asked them to do in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, but ‘it wasn’t enough’ for a hometown victory.

It had seemed to be the perfect night for Tottenham in Udine, where Vicario was born and raised, as his team were leading 2-0 after a pair of dead ball situations confused the Parisian defenders and goalkeeper.

Micky Van de Ven turned in the rebound after an effort came off the woodwork, then Cuti Romero was allowed a free header that bent back Lucas Chevalier’s gloves in a bit of a howler.

UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 13: Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain lifts the UEFA Super Cup Trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Friuli on August 13, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

However, Paris Saint-Germain came roaring back in the final minutes, as first the Kang-in Lee daisy-cutter from distance arrowed into the far bottom corner, then Goncalo Ramos was allowed a diving header from six yards to equalise deep into stoppages.

The Super Cup rules mean it went straight to a penalty shoot-out rather than go through extra time and it followed a similar pattern.

Vitinha drilled wide after a stuttering run-up, giving Spurs the early advantage, but Chevalier parried the poor Van de Ven spot-kick to balance things out, followed by a horrible blast wide from Mathys Tel.

It means Paris Saint-Germain add another trophy to their incredible 2025 after the Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France.

Vicario had hoped for hometown hero status

UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 13: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Friuli on August 13, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Italy international Vicario had friends and family in the stands of the Stadio Friuli, so he was hoping to celebrate with them, but instead was left heartbroken.

“Unfortunately this is football and it is very difficult to accept, especially as I think we did well tonight and they punished us with two situations. It is objectively tough to lose on penalties,” Vicario told Sky Sport Italia.

“I think we did what we set out to do, from start to finish. We were close, but it was not enough. I think we had the right approach, I am proud of these lads, because at the end of the day starting with the idea of playing in a certain way and seeing that through, it ought to give us strength going forward.”

Vicario had relatively few saves to make on the night against a PSG side that had swept Inter aside 5-0 in the Champions League Final only a couple of months ago.

UDINE, ITALY – AUGUST 13: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur shakes hands with Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA, following the UEFA Super Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadio Friuli on August 13, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

It was noted that Tottenham won the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou, but this was their competitive debut under new coach Thomas Frank, so how did Vicario think they were adapting to the change?

“We followed to the letter what Thomas had asked us to do and what we tested in training. It had objectively worked, because we knew PSG struggled on set plays and we hurt them twice in those situations, were dangerous in other opportunities.

“Of course, PSG have quality and you need a bit of luck in football. It’s a learning experience and we take it going forward.”